Emotions Abound at Farewell Ceremony for Haj Pilgrims

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

A haj pilgrim from the first batch of pilgrims at the Medan embarkation point cries as she departs from the Medan Haj Dormitory, North Sumatra, on Friday (12/7/2019). This year, as many as 8,531 haj pilgrims are scheduled to depart from Medan in 22 flight groups from 12 July to 5 August 2019.

MEDAN, KOMPAS —The first group of prospective haj pilgrims in Medan, North Sumatra, left for Saudi Arabia on Friday (12/7/2019). Some 8,531 prospective haj pilgrims divided into 22 groups will depart to Saudi Arabia between July 12 and August 5. The farewell ceremony for the first group of prospective haj pilgrims at the Medan haj dormitory on Friday was filled with emotions.

Prospective pilgrim Aniata Tamaria, 58, was one of many who cried in the ceremony. “I am grateful for being able to go on the pilgrimage this year,” said Aniata, who sells rice cakes for a living.